News 2008

Highlights of the Year 2008

The year 2008 has been more than brilliant for us in every single way.We been attending on several tests and shows both Finland and abroad.

We all want to thank you for all of your support and caring during this lovely year 2008!!!

Special huge thanks goes to my parents taking such a good care of my boys during our trips,Petra taking such a good care of Manta to be everytime ready for showing,Anna-Lena, Marita and Kalle for great companion both in shows, tests and when ever:)

13.12.2008 International Winner Dog Show - Helsinki

Helsinki always ends the show season of the running year in Finland.The show area is always greatly organised and everything is going smoothly.We arrived with boys the day before and stayed once again with Manta and Petra!!Thank you Petra for great evening and late late dinner... with great companion!

This year the show gathered together 14 IWS only 12 of them being shown.The breed was this year judged by more or less liked Göran Bodegård from Sweden,without even lancing bothering him this year.

Patu was best male 2 with reserved CACIB and Coop best male 3 with reserved CC.Manta did it again being best bitch 2 with reserved CACIB.I was once again so proud of showing these fellows looking their best in the ring!!Thank you Petra letting us to show this grand old lady, she is getting better and better as the time goes by.... let's see what the following year will bring us...

23.11.2008 Norwegian Winner Show 2008 - Hamar

Norwegian Winner Show was held in the city of Hamar .The breed was judged by Tarja Hovila from Finland who already once has placed Coop group 3. in Oulu during the last summer double show weekend.There were only 2 IWSs present.

Coop took the breed with CC and CACIB and now is officially also Norwegian Winner 2008.

22.11.2008 International Dog Show - Jyväskylä

Nothing change, it is always terrible weather to drive Jyväskylä...Me and Patu left to meet Petra and Manta already on Friday to have our own little christamas party.What can be better than good dinner and class of wine after grooming the dogs to look perfect for 2nd large show of the year!We did a pretty good job them both looking just beautiful!!!

Our judge in the show was totally new to us, Finnish fellow called Harto Stockmari.Patu was BOS with CACIB and Manta best bitch 3.I was proud to show them both looking really good in ring!

Thank you Petra and Manta for the fun and happy weekend!

09.11.2008 Nordic Winner Show - Herning, Denmark

Nordic Winner Show was held in the city of Herning, Denmark .The breed was judged by Renee Sporre-Willes, Sweden. There were totally 8 IWSs.

Coop took the breed with CC and CACIB and now is officially also Nordic Winner 2008.

25.10.2008 International Dog Show - Seinäjoki

International Bento Kronen Dog Show in Seinäjoki was held once again traditionally with great arrangements in Seinäjoki Arena.Manta and Petra from Helsinki were joining us and we also met Tottis dother Sanni from Oulu who growing more and more lovelier every time we meet.Our judge was extremenly accurate and detailed gentleman Bjarne Sörensen from Norway whois already famous about his coloured scale of judging.There were four IWS in the ring.Coop took the breed with CACIB and CC and Manta was BOS with CACIB,so after our assumptions we did a pretty good job!! Manta was once again such a angel in the ring!!giving also the judge to experience some happy moments with her lovely seremony.In the group ring Coop made a cut among the six last ones.

Thank you Pirjo and Team Oulu, Anne and Petra of this humorous day in Seinäjoki!!This was totally great fun!!! and congratulations for Siru being BIS-3 veteran!!! and she is only 11 years..

19.10.2008 Main Spaniel Special Show - Hyvinkää

This is one of the most important shows of the year and always held on October in Hyvinkää.The darkest time of the year and more than 500 km to drive, so you can imagine thatwe would have to leave early in the morning. But this year, like many times during the past yearwe got to stay the night with Manta and Petra. Thank you once again for that!!! this is going to be a habit..There were totally 18 IWSs. Manta, Patu and Coop were attending..

Our judge was totally new acquaintance Rui Golcalves from Portugal.Patu did the same as year before being BOS and BIS-4. BIS ring was also judged by the breed judge.Coop was best male 2 and got CC.But Manta, she totally suprised us all being placed best bitch 2. Manta looked amazing!!!She made me once again so proud of her with indeed charming showing with constantly wagging tail.It was such a pleasure to show her!

21.09.2008 Kruunupyy - Tracking Test

Totti is back in business.Last weekend our local Dog Club had already traditional annual autumn test in Kruunupyy.Place already famous about its landscape. The landscape in Kruunupyy is not the most attractive with'tangle and rocky landscape being some parts even bad both dogs and people. The good thing is thatin this place you really are able to see who can run and who can not.

As a bonus compared to past years, we nowadays have deer flies, small insects flying like flies but soundinglike helicopters. When you take a close look at them, they are looking like spider men with 6 suction pad legs.With those legs they stuck everyplace, including dog's coat and people's hair and they do not let go.One of the worse animals in the planet!

Nothing confused Totti running Winners Class 1st prize 48 / 50 points under Jouni Simonen.This is Tottis 2nd test this year and 2nd 48 points result.This time he really did excellent job and made me once again totally proud of him,especially showing that whatever conditions we are in, he is still working the same way!

Nice way to end this season and start counting points for the next.

17.08.2008 Sievi - Tracking Test

Very exciting second day in Sievi started with lovely calm weather just a few clouds on skyline.During the second day the test was held in Sievi Maasydänjärvi area that is very demanding for usbecause of its coarse nature with a very little of under vegetation that allows the speed to raise too fast.We would totally prefer more vegetation and less wind that we had just during our track.The clouds started to gather and wind blow just minutes before we needed to start our job,but what could we do other than run:)

In these conditions with rotative wind Coop did excellent job gaining his last Winners Class 1st prizewith the result of 43/50 points. This means that he is now Finnish & Swedish Tracking Champion.He gained the titles just in 6 tests (one in Sweden) that is the minimum amount of possible.In Finland we need two 1st prize results from Open Class that allows to run in Winners Classand then three 1st prizes from there.

16.08.2008 Sievi - Tracking Test

Already traditional two days tracking tests organised by Finnish Otterhounds was for the firsttime in totally new landscape in Sievi. Our meeting place during the first day was still the same lovely farm called Loma Hietala. Finnish Otterhounds tests are always perfectly organised!!So while waiting our turn to run, we had possibility to get to know all the great animals .Coop especially loved the white goats that were more than interested in their new furry friend.

Our judge during these two days was our old friend Heikki Kulo who have had possibilities to judgemany IWSs and other spaniels in our tests during the past years.This was his first time to meet Coop and I think we did not do so bad job att all...Coop runned Winners Class 1st prize with 49/50 points being the best dog in the whole test!!This means that he still needs one 1st prize to be new tracking champion.

10.08.2008 Helsinki - All Breed Show

How else to spend the last day of summer holiday than in a dog show in Helsinki with Petra & Manta.Me and Coop came to spend a quality time with only him travelling with me the night before to stay overin Petras house near the show area. When we arrived Manta was happily welcoming us with wagging tail .

Our judge was all-rounder Monique van Brempt from Belgia.Coop took the breed and Manta was BOS. They both totally looked very nice out there!In the group ring Sari running with Coop he took BIG-2 under Finnish judge Eeva Rautala.Great job changing our yellows finally into blue...

01. - 03.08.2008 Kuopio - International Dog Shows

Sawo Show including 3 International Dog Shows were held in Kuopio in eastern Finland.The first show started on Friday meaning early wakeup call for us. The closer we got Kuopio the horrible the weather transferred and while arriving theparking area it was pooring rain. The place was once again horse track area, good thing beingthat rings were placed on right on track area not in the middle like in Oulu.But because of the rain, the area was totally flooding.

Friday's judge was Harri Lehkonen from Finland who got more or less wet water spanielsfront of him. He liked Patu as much as placed him BOS with CACIB. Coop was best male 2 with CAC and reserved CACIB. When the rings were off the rain stopped:)leaving us a great night to groom our dogs starting right from the scratch.

On Saturday the breed was judged by Hans Lehtinen.Coop was this time BOS with CAC and CACIB and Patu best male 2 with reserved CACIB.Manta who joined us the night before was best bitch 3. I have to say that this dog is totally amazing.. after a long break in show rings, she is still showing herself like pro! I just love to be in the ring with her!

On Sunday after a chat with our yesterday's judge Hans Lehtinen, for us a new acquitance,Douglas A Johnson from USA, was ready to start his ring. He is said to be a great groomer andhandler that sadly was not shown during that day on his judging. Coop was selected as BOS with CAC and CACIB and Patu best male 2 with reserved CACIB.Manta was today best bitch 4 with totally lovely and superb showing! She still had the energy to show herself with wagging tail and amazing spirit.

We had a lovely weekend, thanks belongs to Petra & Manta and the whole family Utter!!and special thanks for Petra who has been taken such a good care of Mantas lovely coat!

PS.Forgot to tell that I was showing golden Thea 'Chaffinch Lovely Moon' ow. A-L to the first place in huge open class judged under extremely strict GÖRAN BODEGÅRD from Sweden.Congratulations Thea and A-L and Arja!!!

19.07.2008 Ylivieska - International Dog Show

After the horrible Oulu weekend we were afraid that the place would be in the same condition as in Oulu.But as in usual Ylivieska had perfect conditions in all parts..great thanks for that!We had both sun and rain.Our judge was Finnish gentleman famous about being very strict and demanding, Matti Tuominen, so we really did not knew what to expect.We handled it pretty well after all , Coop being BOB with CAC and CACIB and Patu evenwith his sore toe from Oulu weekend best male 2 with reserved CACIB.Matti Tuominen was also taking the group..and selected Coop to be BIG-3!!This is great accomplishment especially under this judge.Coop is continueing his 3rd placements this being his 3rd in a row.. should we chance a colour for once..

13.07.2008 Oulu - National Dog Show

The only glad thing the next morning in rainy Oulu was when we were driving from hotel back to the showarea that the rings would have been moved away from wetty area. But NO they were still there!!!Totally mad!!! and once again it was raining the whole day..Our judge was Romanian fellow Christian Vantu.The results were the same as the day before Coop being BOB and Patu second.Group was judged by Jos de Cuyper from Belgia who liked Coop as much asplaced him second time in a same weekend BIG - 3.So the results were totally great but otherwise the trip most horrible in a long long time!!

12.07.2008 Oulu - International Dog Show

I got a phone call 6 a.m where my friend told me that take your boots with you the field is going to bevery very wet and totally muddy. I was laughing that you must be joking.But what she told me in the phone was totally true...when I arrived at the show area the main entrance wascovered with mud and water. You must believe that there were a lot of very happy people.The rings were put inside the horse track that was dry and clean whereas the inside covered with water.Everything were smelling..

Our judge was Keith Lovel from Australia, sure must have been thinking that these Finnish people are totally mad.Some of the judged refused to judge and had their rings moved on the horse track.Coop was BOB with CACIB and CAC and Patu best male 2 with reserved CACIB.After the wet day I thought there is no point of going to group ring that was taken by oneof the spaniel specialist Tarja Hovila from Finland. But with a lot of work I managed to make Coop look like a dog....and this was rewarded with BIG - 3..After all a nice ending for a TOTALLY HORRIBLE DAY..I need to send huge thanks to our new acquaintace Synnoeve Presthaug from kennel Toshiko's whohelped us to survive the day!!

06.07.2008 Stockholm - World Winner Show

World Winner Show 2008 was held in Stockholm Mässan exhibition hall, familiar place for us as location of many International Swedish Winner Shows past few years.This was our first time ever to attend on WW -show and because of an ideal locationit collected together top 45 IWSs all over Scandinavia and Europe.What a great feeling it was to see this many great dogs and their owners gathered in one event.

Our judge was an Irish gentleman Harry O'Donaghue who we have met more than 15 years ago inHelsinki International Show when showing my first IWS Bevelrock's Synan aka Denny.I must say that he did a pretty good job:) liking both of the boys.SO WE TOOK IT ALL!! I can not describe how proud I am of these 2 boys!!!Coop won first working class and after both CAC and CACIB compatitions and is nowNEW WORLD WINNER 2008! And can you believe he is only 18 months old!!!Patu won huge and top quality champion class and after RESEV-CACIB compatition...The show was totally amazing and the most exciting for a long long time.. Thank you all friends for being our support especially in shows and all the way there!!This is huge prize of the work we all have done for these great fellows!Thank you Seidi for letting us to have these boys in Kokkola!!!

21.06.2008 Rovaniemi - International Dog Show

Mid Summer nights in Lapland are totally light and during our way from Gällivare to Rovaniemi middle of the night we enjoyed a lot of beautiful sceneries while the sun coloured everything red and pink.One of Tottis puppy owners and a great tracking judge, family of Virve and Jouni Simonen offered us tospend the late night and morning in their home. After the long day, evening and night we were more than greatful oftheir care. Thank you for your attention, hopefully we are able to do the same for you some day!! Few but tight hours of sleep before the next show in Lapland Park.

Our judge was this time Jo Schepers from Netherland. Very kind and enjoyable gentleman.Course not, it was not enough that Manta got INT CH title the day before but this time shetook the whole breed letting Patu to be BOS and Coop best male 2 with CC. Manta was getting better and better in the ring!!!The second day in a row we got totally great critiques for the whole group!!It was such a pleasure to show her both in the breed and group ring.Tottis daugher Siiri was best bitch 2 with CC, congratulations Pirjo!!

20.06.2008 Gällivare, Sweden - International Dog Show

This year we spent our Mid Summer evening and night in Gällivare attending on International Dog Show.Manta (Patus mother) and Petra drove to Kokkola on Wednesday evening and on Thursday we headed towardsGällivare. We stayed the night with Anna-Lena, Marita and couple of Anna-Lenas puppy owners in a cottage located on Dundre mountainside. The show was held the next evening.The day was totally beautiful but in the evening during almost the whole show we had rain and thunder.

IWSs were judged under Swedish lady Ing-Marie Hagelin who we had met before in Finland.Before the show, we were joking about that maybe Patu did not want to run in the ring,the ring being in Sweden like in tracking test couple of weeks before. But he did run andshowed totally the best sides of himself, like did Manta too. Manta was totally charming, you would almost be able to see her smiling. Patu took the breed handled by Anna-Lena and Manta was BOS with CACIB which made her the NEW INTERNATIONAL FCI SHOW CHAMPION!!!Coop was best male 2 with CC and reserved CACIB. What a great day we had!!! They all got amazing critiques!! Congratulations Manta and Petra!I think this made Patu to be 3rd generation of International Show Champions.

Thank you Anna-Lena once again handling my dog and rest of the group being such a great companions,and thank you for the great meal we had before the show!!!After the show late in the evening while flying high we headed towards Rovaniemi Finland...

15.06.2007 Tracking Test - Skellefteå, Sweden

We spent lovely day in Sweden in Skellefteå running in tracking test.After driving (read Marita and Kalle driving) the whole night it was a great to meet these gentle nice organisers.Our judge was Gunhild Björne great lady with amazing attitude.Coop took öppen class (open class) 1st prize, meaning that after gaining Finnish Tracking Champion titlehe is also going to be Swedish Tracking Champion.Patu was also having his second chance in Sweden and this time, same as before,he totally refused to run. What can you do, this dog with only winners class 1st prizes in Finlanddoes not want to do tracking in Sweden! Even I must believe that now.Next time we are going to run in Norway, may be he will like it more there:) with flying deers like in Finland.

Thank you Skellefteå Spaniel and Retriever Club for letting us to be part in this test,see you in Finland later this year!

07.06.2008 Tracking Test - Gällivare - Sweden

Totti is now also Swedish Tracking Champion!!!!!After long consideration we finally traveled to Sweden to city called Gällivare to attend on our very first tracking test in Sweden.Gällivare is generally famous of its big Mid Summer Show that is held middle of the show covered mountains.I must say that when travelling there and thinking about walking in that hilly landscapethe show covered mountains did not looked so nice anymore.The test was organised by Norra Norrbotten Spaniel and Retriever Club and their great organisersincluding Lars-Göran Olsson and our judge Folke Sandström. Huge thanks to you to let us be part of this great day!

Totti did again perfect job, even the tracks are laid a little bit different in Swedenand the landscape was not as flat as we are use. He made me so proud once again!This was the first IWS they saw tracking and I am sure that they will remember him.He is always doing his job with total 100 %!!!

Patu also tried his luck, which was not showing the best possible sides for him.I needed to interrupt the test after the first 50 meters and was really thinking that momentthis dog is gone totally mad. Afterwards we heard that the dear hoof of the next track was taken by some predatorand only thread was hanging on the tree. Patu must have smelled bear or wolf during the track that made him to react the way he did. Well we have to try our luck later!

24.05.2008 Tracking Test - Kannus

Finnish IWS Club and Finnish Otterhounds arranged tracking tests in Kannus.Totally 22 dog were participating both Saturday and Sunday (of which 10 were IWS).Many Irishers partipated this very same test organised the year before whenthe weather was the same. it did not rain again and it was very hot, dry and sunny both days.On Saturday the tempererature was around + 22 C and Sunday even more, which was not nice for the dogs.The landscape in Kannus is totally wonderful, such a easygoing forest with most of pinetrees, little hills andjust some rocks and little ditches.

Totti did it again and took the highest score in winners class with the points of 48/50.and also won the challenge trophy. He has not been tracking since the last August so this pretty good!Patu followed closely and took 41/50 points. So both of my boys took 1st prizes!Our judge was a new fresh acquaintance Jouni Simonen, who was first time judging in our tests.Jouni and her wife Virve have one of Tottis puppies so I was really happy that he was able to seehow my boys are working in real situation. I think he was kind of proud too:)

Thank you all for this great weekend, it was really nice to see this many participants!

18.05.2008 Tracking Test - Himanka

Patu is now new Finnish Tracking Champion!!!!!

Our local dog club Keski-Pohjanmaan Koirakilta ry organised for the first time our tracking test in Himanka in landscape totally new to us all. The test was anyhow successand landscape mainly suitable for tracking.

The thing that little bit increased the degree of the difficulty in Patus track wasthat the track was lead right next to bog pond where couple of swans were spending lovely spring day.I was so proud of Patu that he devotedly remained on his track achieving his third winners class 1st prize 45/50 points and Finnish Tracking Champion Title.Two of my boys already have tracking champion title, we will see when it will be Coops turn.He working well towards this goal achieving his first winners class 1st prize 43/50 points in this very same test. I think I do not have say that I do really am proud of these boys!

10.05.2008 Clubshow - Spaniel Special Show - Helsinki

The main event of the year - our own Clubshow was held in Helsinki greyhound center.This main show gathered together totally 37 IWS. The show was judged by English very long time IWS breeder (kennel Foulby) Angela Williams.Under this expert Coop was selected BOS with CC and Patu Best male 2.Coop was also selected BOB working dog.Amazing day for my boys once again!

07.05.2008 Tracking Test - Lohtaja

For the first time, we held our tracking test in Lohtaja Hunting Club area.Thank you for letting us to use this fabolous place and landscape,we totally love it...definitely going to do it again..

The weather was nice summer weather with a little of wind and partly clouded sky.Patu took his second 1st prize 43/50 points in winners meaning thathe needs one more 1st prize to become tracking champion, can you believe..This was not enought .. Coop took 1st prize with magnificent points 47/50from open class meaning that he is now competing also in winners class like the rest of my boys!!!Incredible, but have to enjoy until this lasts.

01.05.2008 Tracking Test - Sievi Maasydänjärvi

Traditional Finnish Otterhounds tracking test is always held on ascension day (also holiday),this year it happens to be also the first of May...Read that no celebration for instructors...This is always also the first test of the year.

..a lots of firsts for this test..The first time for Patu to attend on winners class.The real first time for Coop to attend on tracking test in open class.And also the first real spring day with the temperature over 23 degrees.

The warm weather and rotative wind did not distrub boys accomplishments.There were also a lot of game experiences, bear and deer footprints and a lots of wild fowls right on track.Despite of all these experiences Patu took winners class 1st prize 40 / 50 points, and Coop open class 1st prize 44 / 50 points.I must say that I was so proud of these two!!!

26.04.2008 Vaasa - International Dog Show

Vaasa is said to be the sunnies city in Finland.. being it today too.The first real spring day!

Our judge was Swedish gentleman Kurt Nilsson.Patu took BOB with CACIB and if I am counting right Coop his 10th CC with reserv - CACIB.I think the highlight of the day was still the moment boys were able to jump in to lakeafter long day..

19.04.2007 Jyväskylä - International Dog Show

Few shows still before our tracking season starts, Jyväskylä International Dog Show being is one of them. There were totally 7 IWS, 3 of them being Tottis puppies, bitches shown for the first time.Our judge was a new acquitance us Norwegian lady Lisbeth Campbell.Coop beated the whole group and took BOB with CC and CACIB, Patu being best male 2 with reserv-CACIB.Boys got magnificent critiques once again! After the ring our judge came to congratulate us once again!

Of the puppies, BOS puppy was Catanka Indeed owned by Pirjo Anttila from Oulu, congratulations!BOB puppy was Catanka I want it all. 2nd bitch puppy I have a Dream got also HP.I just loved the character and appearance of Pirjos totally charming young girl! She is going to rock!I was so happy to notice that Tottis extremely charming character was inherited by these lovely puppies.Lovely day!

05.04.2008 Lake Lesti - Limited Show

Extremely beautiful place by the lake, if it would just have been WARM!

Coop took BOB with CC under Finnish judge Lena Danker (Eskills).I have known before that she has really good taste of dogs, but never seen this many utmärk (excellents) and härligt (lovely) -words in same critique.

16.3.2008 Tampere - International Dog Show

International spring show is always held on March in Tampere Pirkkahalli. We left there with 'our whole family' meaning that Totti was travelling with us tooattending the show area as tourist dog. He loved the trip the most!

Our judge was Richard Beauchamp from USA.There were totally 17 IWSs, but sadly with few absenties.Coop did it again and was selected BOS this time with CC & CACIB! This was his first CACiB,him being just over 15 months. Patu was best male 2 with reserved - CACIB.

After all the coincidences, we arrived with Sari and Mocha happily in Piteå in quite bad weather.We have been attending shows in Piteå several times, but this was the very first time in special show.The show was truly nicely organised and we met some old friends too.

Our judge in the breed ring was long time labrador breeder, vet and receptive judge for new judges in the FCI group 8. Eeva Rautala from Finland.Coop took the breed with CC letting her mother Mocha to be BOS with CC.But this was not enought, for our suprise the day ended totally different than we first thought.

Being Special Show, there was Best in Show compatition for best working dogs,meaning dogs having some working test result.Under Swedish judge Anna Geschwindt-Hartwig, Coop was selected Best is Show 1. working dog.The day ended in real Best in Show compatition, were Coop was selected Best in Show 3.Long way, but must admit that it was totally worth it!!

22.02.2008 Annual General Meeting - Show dog of the year 2007

Our local Dog Clud had Annual General Meeting once again like every year.Totally for our surprise Patu was awarded with 'Show Dog of the Year' prize as the dog with the highest score in national and internations show both Finland and abroad. Thanks for this prize belongs to my dear friend Marita who had the energy to calculate our points!Had to admit, that I was so proud of him, this was totally amazing!!..especially reading about the prize next day in the local news paper..The real thanks for getting this prize belongs also Seidi, who has been showing Patu in last shows.

Coop was awarded with prize for passing Spaniel Ability Test last autumn.Thanks for getting this prize belongs to Anna-Lena, our long time trainer.I think you have been training all my dogs during the years, thanks!

27.01.2008 Winter Dog Show - Turku

Darkest and usually coldest time of the year in Finland, the time of the winter dog showstarting a new show season for us.Turku as it comes to location is not the easiest place to travel from Kokkola, but happily we went with Marita and Kalle this year too.

Our judge was Finnish spaniel breeder, vet and groomer Anja Puumala.There were totally 12 IWSs.The judge was totally charmed by our beautiful little fellow Coop andselected him to be BOS giving him his 6th CC. Too bad that he is still too young to accept CACIB,which went to Patu being best male 2.Not too bad start of the new year!!!

Highlights of the Year 2007

The year 2007 has been more than brilliant for us in every way.We been attending on several tests and shows both Finland and abroad.